Women Are Suffering Severe Sunburn Due To Retinol

We are skincare obsessed, and we're all looking for a flawless, natural glow as lockdown restrictions are set to ease.

Many have touted retinol, also known as vitamin A, as the holy grail when it comes to treating conditions such as acne, fine lines and ageing. It works by sinking deep under the surface of your skin.

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Once absorbed, retinol boosts the production of elastin and collagen. This creates a "plumping" effect, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores.

The wonder ingredient also has an exfoliating effect on the skin's surface that can further improve texture and tone.

No wonder we're all crazy for retinol right now.

But before we start slathering ourselves all over with this liquid magic, retinol does come with a warning.

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Yep, using vitamin A can leave your skin at risk of sunburn - not good news as the UK is about to enter a heatwave, with many of us looking forward to some sunbathing as temperatures are set to effortlessly reach 29 degrees at the weekend.

And some people have already been caught out by using retinol serums on their skin without proper SPF protection.

Taking to Twitter, one woman wisecracked: "Not sure when I crossed into 'This sunburn is a moral failing and the sting of retinol is my punishment' territory, but here I am."

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Another said: "[Sunburn is] why I do not use retinol. Vitamin D and me aren't friends."

"Was wondering why face so sore. Sunburn. Couldn't figure out how as not outside much and had factor 20 on but then remembered... Retinol serum. Oops," a third wrote.

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"The only time I got sunburn was in Miami. Was using retinol and no sunscreen," a fourth recalled.

"Forgot I used a retinol the other day and so today I got a sunburn when it was overcast after 4pm," a fourth joked. "Stay vigilant everyone."

One girl with the username @Andrea.Sodre posted a video of her severe sunburn on TikTok, explaining her skin got really burned after using a medication containing a retinoid.

So why can retinol cause such bad sunburn? Well, this is because retinol encourages new skin cells to develop, which is thinner and therefore more delicate, which can lead to painful burns.

If you do want to use retinol, make sure you use products that contain retinoids at night time to avoid risks of burning - and always make sure you use a strong SPF to protect your skin.

Topics: Beauty, Life, Health, Skincare

Kimberley Bond

Kim is a journalist at Tyla, and has previously worked at the Evening Standard, Radio Times as well as several national newspapers. A showbiz obsessive and a television fanatic, Kim is particularly interested in celebrity gossip, A-list events and the latest releases on either the big or small screen. Contact her at [email protected]

@0xKimberley